Skip baggage check with these carry on suggestions

When you fly, you’re usually allowed to bring a personal item to your seat with you and a carry-on bag that you store in the overhead bin. Depending on which airline you fly and which ticket you book, you’ll either be allowed to bring the carry-on bag for free or you’ll have to pay a fee.  

Most of the major airlines like American , Delta , Southwest , and United don’t charge extra for this (unless you’re flying Basic Economy in some cases). On the other hand, most of the no-frills airlines like Frontier , Spirit, and Allegiant will charge passengers extra for anything other than a personal item.   

In any case, you need to actually have a carry-on bag in the first place for any of these policies to matter to you. Luggage is one of those weird products that is way more expensive than you might think. So we set out to find some cheap carry-on options from major retailers like Target , Amazon , and Walmart .   

Take a look through the list below to see lots of different options ranging from about $35 to $100 in price, so you should be able to find something within your budget. In addition to all the carry-on items below, you can get even lower prices on cheap personal items .   

Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Luggage with Spinner Wheels — Orange – $91.77  

I’m going to start off our list with my personal favorite option, the Samsonite Winfield 2 Hardside Suitcase with Spinner Wheels from Amazon. Samsonite is one of the biggest names in luggage, and the only way that one of their bags made this list is because it’s currently on sale for 52% off.  

This bag is hardside luggage (which protects your belongings better) and the burnt orange color looks amazing and will be easy to find if it ever gets mixed up with other bags. It has exterior dimensions of 23.0” x 13.5” x 9.0” so it should meet most airlines’ requirements although it’s pressing the limit.   

It has four omni-directional spinner wheels so it’s easy to transport and even comes with a 10-year warranty and additional pockets for extra storage. This deal likely won’t last forever, so head over to Amazon and take advantage while you can!  

Amazon Basics Geometric Travel Luggage Expandable Spinner Suitcase — Pink – $89.68  

We just looked at the burnt orange Samsonite above, so let’s keep it going with the bright colors that make it easy to find your bag among the rest. This time, we have a vibrant pink hardside suitcase with spinner wheels from Amazon Basics. Just like the Samsonite bag above, this one presses the size limit and comes in at 21.7” x 15” x 10”.   

One of the most unique aspects of this bag compared to other cheap carry-on luggage is that it has a built-in TSA lock to keep your bag closed tight and secured. It has expandable sides for additional storage and a geometric pattern on the exterior shell to add some flair compared to the normal old boring luggage most other people have.  

Hardside Carry On Spinner Suitcase — Made By Design – $79.99 - $90.00  

If you want more variety in terms of colors while still getting a good price, then head over to Target’s website and check out the Made By Design Spinner Suitcase. Like the two options from Amazon, these are hardside bags, but there are more colorways. You can get this luggage in Tan, Muddy Aqua, Dark Gray, Green, Dusty Rose, Lavender, or Peach Orange.  

Like most of the other bags here, this one pushes right up against those size limits at 21.75” x 14.25” x 9.0”. It also has expandable sides so you can really stuff it full of clothes and it’ll still zip right up. There are multiple zippered pockets inside for your smaller things, and there’s even a full-size zipper divider through the bag to create two separate compartments.  

iFLY Hardside Fibertech Carry On Luggage – $69.00 - 89.00  

We’ve seen a few options from Amazon and Target so far, so let’s see what kind of cheap carry-on luggage you can get from Walmart. If the way your suitcase looks is important to you, then the iFLY Hardside Fibertech Spinner Suitcase is a good choice for you.  

This bag comes in 21 different colors with some seriously cool designs that you won’t get with any other option on this list. The 360° spinner wheels on this suitcase are colored to match the rest of the bag, even if it’s a multi-colored scheme.  

Not only does it look great, but it’s also just a good, high-quality hardside suitcase that fits as a carry on with dimensions of 22” x 14.5” x 9”. Inside the main compartment of the bag, you’ll find a full-lining zippered pocket for extra storage and tie-downs to keep everything in place. It also has expandable sides to ensure you have enough room for everything you need on your trip.  

US Traveler Forza 2-Piece Softside Spinner Suitcase with Matching Tote – $69.99  

When it comes to getting the best bang for your buck, the US Traveler 2-Piece Softside Traveler Kit might just be the best option on this list. Not only is it the only choice here that comes with a carry-on bag and a personal item, but it’s also less than $70 for both. As long as you don’t mind softside luggage, this deal from Walmart might just be the best one on the market.  

The 21” carry on is designed to meet the size restriction of all major airlines and its 360° spinner wheels and 4-position handle make it easy to move around. It has additional front pockets for easy access to your more important items and expandable sides for 25% extra space.   

The real kicker of this set is that it comes with a matching tote bag that can be used as the perfect personal item. It will slide under the seat in front of you yet it’s big enough and has enough pockets to make sure you have everything you need within arm’s reach.  

Skyline Softside Carry On Spinner Suitcase — Gray – $49.99  

If you don’t need anything too flashy and you’re happy with a simple black softside suitcase with spinner wheels, then the Skyline Carry On from Target is perfect for you. This bag is 22.5” x 13.5” x 7.5”, so you won’t have trouble getting it in the overhead compartment of most airlines. Plus, the expandable sides and additional front pockets add even more storage space.  

The four spinner wheels make it easy to maneuver this bag around the airport and the telescoping handle extends with the push of a button for additional simplicity. This bag is made of 600 Denier polyester so it’s built to last. The Skyline can be your go-to carry on for the next decade.  

20” Duffel Bag Mauve S — All in Motion – $34.99  

If you want something a bit more unique than the all-black Skyline bag we just looked at, Target has another affordable option that might appeal to you. The All in Motion 20” Duffel Bag Mauve S is a lightweight duffel bag that fits the carry-on restrictions of all major airlines and is made out of a lavender-colored polyester material.  

This 20” x 11” x 9” duffel bag weighs only 1.63 pounds and costs just $34.99. So it’s lightweight and light on your wallet! The main interior compartment is big enough to store your typical carry-on luggage, and the extra pockets inside and out give you space for all of your smaller things.  

Travelers Club Chicago Hardside Expandable Spinner Luggage – $41.63 - $49.97  

As you’ve seen so far and you’ll continue to see, most of the carry-on options under $50 use softside construction since hardside luggage is typically more expensive. But don’t worry, we’ve found one of the best options on the market if you want to find a cheap hardside carry on that’s still high-quality – the Travelers Club Chicago Hardside Spinner Luggage from Amazon.  

This spinner suitcase is 20” x 13” x 11” when fully expanded, so you shouldn’t have any trouble meeting the 9” depth requirement that most airlines have. It’s available in teal, black, and fuchsia for less than $50 and a few other colors for a few dollars more.   

U.S. Traveler Anzio Softside Expandable Spinner Luggage — Dark Grey – $44.42  

Next up on the list is the U.S. Traveler Softside Spinner Luggage , which is also available on Amazon. This one is also a little on the big side with dimensions of 22” x 14.25” x 10” (plus 2” of expandable storage space), but since it uses softside construction, you shouldn’t have any trouble using this bag as a carry on.  

It has four omni-directional wheels and a telescoping handle with multiple built-in setpoints for height, so you don’t have to fully extend the handle to use it. The bag is made of micro-ballistic nylon instead of polyester like most other bags on this list, so it’s incredibly durable and can stand up to the abuse you put it through ramming it up into the overhead bin every time you fly.  

Elite Luggage Meander Carry On Rolling Suitcase – $49.99  

Spinner wheels might be the new “in” thing that everyone wheels around their belongings in at the airport, but some people prefer the older-style bags that you lean forward and pull it behind you. This is one of only two options on this list that doesn’t have spinner wheels, but that certainly doesn't mean it’s not a great choice.  

The Elite Luggage Meander 19.5” Carry-On Suitcase is $49.99 and comes in vibrant red or blue. It also comes in black and purple for just $33, but those colors have been out of stock for a while. With dimensions of 19.5” x 12.75” x 7”, it’s smaller than most of the other bags on this list but you shouldn’t have any trouble fitting your normal carry-on stuff inside.  

It’s also one of the most lightweight options, too, weighing just 4.4 pounds so it’ll be super easy to pull around the airport. It has two large pockets on the front where you can store things you need quick access to, and you can keep the main compartment locked so you don’t have to worry about anything falling out.   

Protege Pilot Case Softside Carry-On Luggage – $24.77 - $27.88  

Rounding off our list of cheap carry-on luggage is the Protege Pilot Case 18” Softside Suitcase from Walmart. This is the only other option on this list that doesn’t have spinner wheels (what’s up with that, but since it’s only about $25 depending on which color you go with, not having spinner wheels might be worth it!)

Speaking of colors, this bag is available in black, green, purple, and teal so you can find an option that fits your style. This Protege bag is 19.25” x 6.5” x 12.5” and it has softside construction, so you’ll have no trouble fitting it in as a carry-on no matter what airline you fly!